Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon alerted their volunteers and staff to prepare to respond for possible heavy rains that Super Typhoon Henry (international name Hinnamnor) may bring over extreme Northern Luzon.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), “Henry” was spotted 530 kilometers east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes moving southwestward at 25 kph as of 4 a.m. Thursday.

It has maximum sustained winds of 185 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph and may absorb Tropical Depression Gardo that is already inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) or 775 kms east northeast of Itbayat.

The weather bureau said the trough of “Henry” will enhance the southwest monsoon and may bring “moderate to at times heavy rains” over many parts of Luzon.

“Magbantay at maging alerto. ‘Yan ang lagi nating mensahe sa mga Red Cross chapters kapag may parating na bagyo. Nakahanda kami sa Red Cross na rumespondeng muli sa ating mga kababayan sa Northern Luzon, kagaya nang dati, kung kailangan (Be vigilant. That’s the message I always give to Red Cross chapters when a typhoon is coming. Red Cross is ready to respond again to our people in Northern Luzon, if needed),” Gordon said in a statement Wednesday evening.

The PRC reminded the public to follow the organization’s 4Ps: Predict, Plan, Prepare, and Practice, while it monitors the situation on the ground through its chapters and via its state-of-the-art operations center.

Upholding its mantra “Volunteers + Logistics + Information Technology = a Red Cross that is Always First, Always Ready, Always There,” the PRC, under the leadership of Gordon, has mobilized an army of volunteers on the ground through its Red Cross 143 program, where each barangay forms a group of 44 volunteers who monitor the hazards in their areas of responsibility and assist in delivering PRC’s disaster response operations.

The PRC’s army of volunteers is complemented by PRC’s modern response equipment and data network, enabling the humanitarian organization to rapidly deliver aid in emergency situations arising from hazards.

For any emergency assistance, please call the PRC’s Operations Center at 143 or 8790-23-00. (PNA)